15K TT 4 Days Before 1/2 Ironman?

Triathlon Forum
1

Hi,

Looking for some opinions. I have a club 15K TT this Wednesday and a 1/2 Ironman in Peterborough on Sunday. Should I race it or skip it?

Thanks

2

I would do it, but scale the effort back to 90-95%. Good freshener for a half IM. Heck, it’s basically the same workout I do 4 days before a half, even if there isn’t a club race.

But again – take it easy. Have a nice long easy warmup and warm-down.

3

It depends on which race is more important to you – if it’s the TT than go all out and give it your best …

3 days is not enough to recover for an Half IM …

or otherwise don’t do the TT and have the Half IM be your “A” race.

Keep in mind even if you (manage to) “hold back” on the TT you will still loose the additional edge for the Half IM …

4

If you are pretty fresh going into the TT and can control you emotions/effort i like the idea. (5k moderate (HIM effort) / 5k moderate-hard / 5k theshold + 2-3bpm) That is how i would ride personally … i just wouldn’t drill it from the start. Set your bike up in the TT just like you will for race day.

Best of luck!

5

I’d skip it. The other guys mentioned not going 100%… good luck with that. When race day rolls around, I don’t think I could make myself back down the pace. A couple weeks ago I had a time trial on both Saturday and Wendesday, and then a Sprint Tri the next Saturday. I could feel my legs were not 100% in the tri. 1/2 IM entries are expensive- don’t blow it for a club TT. (Just my personal opinion)

6

Thanks for the advice. I think I will probably skip it and volunteer. Going 90% is easier said than done as I find it hard enough going slow on a recovery ride.

7

We’re only talking 15K here!!! This would be a near perfect volume of high intensity to provide the icing on the cake. Your blood volume would be boosted for the next few days. You would prime your legs for massive glycogen storage and it would help calm those I need a workout jitters. If you normally handle the TT without massive problems the next day I think that it would be a great workout. If you can’t recover from it in 4 days you are not ready for the 1/2 IronMan.

Just my take… your mileage may vary.

SciGuy

8

agreed. a nice 2x30 a few days before is good for you. as others have said, a good long warm-up and at least an hour cool down. a 2 hour ride should be nothing for someone in shape for a 1/2 IM.

I’d do that TT, a nice 10k run the next day with a few 1 min pick-ups, 3rd day off, then a tune up on the course.

but that’s what I do, you’re mileage may vary.

9

not so sure I understand the purpose of “scaling back” a 15k TT. Why are you doing the effort? Scaling back will most likely see an effort that is too hard to recover from in time, but still to little to be of real value as far as the benefits of a time trial. 15k TT are supposed to be very hard, at least that is what I have been lead to believe. Don’t waste the effort, save it for a time when it will benefit your training, like when you are recovered from your half.